---
title: "Man City: Sky Blues progressing in talks for Marc Cucurella"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/man-city-marc-cucurella-brighton-etihad-guardiola-sterling-latest-transfer-news-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Manchester City News"
published: "2022-07-08T18:15:29Z"
modified: "2022-07-08T18:15:29Z"
---

# Man City: Sky Blues progressing in talks for Marc Cucurella

**[Manchester City](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/) are believed to be progressing in talks to sign Brighton defender Marc Cucurella, according to [Sportitalia reporter](https://twitter.com/RudyGaletti) Rudy Galetti.**

### The Lowdown: Man City register interest in Cucurella

With Nathan Ake’s future with the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) champions uncertain after [links](https://www.skysports.com/football/transfer-paper-talk/12709/12647888/chelsea-pushing-to-re-sign-nathan-ake-from-man-city-paper-talk) of a move back to Chelsea, Sky Blues manager Pep Guardiola will be keen to bolster his defensive ranks.

It was [reported](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/kalvin-phillips-transfer-man-city-cucurella-sterling-replacement-leeds-signing-1722073?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1656943779) earlier this week that City are interested in bringing the 23-year-old Spaniard to the Etihad Stadium, but his signature won’t come cheap as he still has a solid [four years](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marc-cucurella/profil/spieler/284857) remaining on his contract with the Seagulls.

### The Latest: Man City set on Cucurella deal

Taking to Twitter, Galetti [stated](https://twitter.com/rudygaletti/status/1544928546723856385?s=21&t=JxuRG6ETMG62NU1PRhocWw) that City are now prioritising a deal for Cucurella, with talks currently advancing.

He wrote: “After Sterling’s move to Chelsea, Man City are now focused on finalizing the deal for Cucurella. The talks with Brighton – as reported – are progressing well: now #MCFC want to speed things up to close soon.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”397988″\]

### The Verdict: Zinchenko replacement?

With the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko [uncertain](https://www.si.com/soccer/manchestercity/transfer-rumours/report-oleksandr-zinchenko-set-to-leave-manchester-city-everton-interested#:~:text=Report%3A%20Oleksandr%20Zinchenko%20Set%20To%20Leave%20Manchester%20City%2C%20Everton%20Interested,-Author%3A&text=Manchester%20City%20are%20prepared%20to,time%20in%20that%20exact%20role.), Guardiola will need to buy a suitable replacement at left-back just in case.

Cucurella could be the perfect man to come in after an excellent debut season in England, not least as the City boss is [reportedly a big admirer](https://www.marca.com/en/football/manchester-city/2022/06/16/62ab5ba846163f9abb8b45e5.html) of the 23-year-old’s versatility.

\[freshpress-poll id=”400115″\]

The [Spain international](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marc-cucurella/nationalmannschaft/spieler/284857), who has been [hailed](https://www.transfermarketweb.com/premier-league/premier-brighton-boss-graham-potter-praises-marc-cucurella-222899) a ‘refreshing’ player by Brighton manager Graham Potter, was a rock at the heart of the Seagulls’ backline last season. His averages of 2.7 tackles, 1.9 clearances and 1.2 key passes per league game (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/363496/Show/Marc-Cucurella)) highlight his defensive acumen and also attacking qualities.

Furthermore, his status as a proven Premier League performer (he was Brighton’s third-best player last term according to [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/211/Show/England-Brighton)) suggests that he could be an ideal successor to Zinchneko if the Ukrainian departs the Etihad.